ANTIKA

ANTIKA

Created with precious remnants from ancient civilisations and tribal cultures of the South Pacific Islands, Antika is adornment of unique beauty and deep story.

These rare and exotic archaeological finds, some dating as far back as 3600BC, feature in this exquisite and finely articulated range of jewellery. The beauty of each element is deftly revealed with the finest of detail and highlighted in 22k gold and fine gem stones.

The Antika Collection is categorized into series: Aegyptus, Kalinga, Kula, Imperium, Tribus, Sumer and Sola. Each series is informed by the materials that were geographically available to the culture referenced.

Ancient and tribal people utilised these prized elements creating all manner of ceremonial and ritualistic items, traditional body ornament and valued objects of trade.

The Antika collection continues this long standing tradition to adorn.

aegyptus

The artefact and elements incorporated into the Aegyptus series originated in the Dynastic and New Kingdoms of ancient Egypt. This unique series of bespoke adornment references the sacred symbolism and artistry ever-present in this magnificent civilisation.

Archeological finds from the Nile Valley uncovered lustrous Egyptian blue or faience items, commonly used during this time to emulate the brightly coloured and highly desirable turquoise stone, which was more difficult to access in this area.

Faience, a quartz ceramic with a vitreous coating of blue/green glass, is the mainstay of this series and is delicately combined with fine pearls and other ancient beads.

kula

The Kula series showcases rare tribal remnants from the Island cultures of the South Pacific. Fragments of hand-fashioned horn and intricately carved shell represent the connection these people maintained between the natural and the mystic worlds and which were ever present in the ornamentation within the culture.

Many of these objects were originally traded as part of a barter-based economic and ceremonial exchange system typical in the Pacific rim. This practice, known as ‘Kula’, would have seen objects in circulation for hundreds of years. Over time, the items would accrue ‘mana’ - power and energy, and would invariably increase in exchange value. In addition to their monetary worth they would identify clan affiliations and ancestral links within the traditional areas, maintaining spirit connection and village hierarchy.

These exotic treasures are preserved and brought back in to circulation in this unique collection, imbued with the spirit and ‘mana’ of the Island nobility.

kalinga

This unique series features original body shell ornament from the Philippine Islands. The spectacular golden mother-of-pearl shell was prized as a sign of wealth and prestige in this region and highly sought after by the indigenous people in all parts of this Island culture.

Traded from the coast up to the highland region of Kalinga, a remote and mountainous province, shell was used by both men and women in much of their body ornament.

The unique butterfly shape and finely-crafted shell fringed items were worn to signify the ancient warrior’s place in traditional society and were worn for ceremonial and ritual events. These original shell artefacts are the centre piece of this collection. Beautifully paired with black diamonds and hand-fashioned 22k gold as they highlight the inherent skill and creative expression of this island culture.

tribus

Inspired by the tradition of adornment, long practiced by the great variety of Island cultures in the South Pacific, the Tribus series references the multi layered worlds of these complex and interconnected societies.

Many aspects of the Island culture is reflected in the ornamentation of these people. The order of their universe to their entire way of being is expressed in adornment and has produced items of great beauty deeply infused with social and religious significance.

Carved animal bone, twine covered tusk, finely fashioned shell and seed ornament are a few examples of the extraordinary talismans found in this region and indicative of the time honored Island tradition of beautifying.

The Tribus series taps into this age old practice, inherent to virtually all of these Island cultures, revealing this singular and exotic series of adornment.

Presented with Australian South Sea and Japanese Akoya pearls with signature 22k gold detailing, these significant tribal items are the essence of this historically-charged collection where one-of-a-kind treasures pay homage to a forgotten time and distant culture.

imperium

This exotic series features ancient beads of lapis lazuli and chalcedony which were originally crafted for the ruling classes of Mesopotamia, one of the first cities located in the fertile lands between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers known also as the cradle of civilization.

Traded down from the mountains of present day Afghanistan, the rich blue of the lapis lazuli and the subtle, pale lavender of chalcedony were some of the earliest of gemstones used to adorn. Skilled craftsman created all manner of adornment, from typical ornament to sacred amulets to royal seals for the nobility of these ancient cities.

The finest of pearls and gemstones complement these exquisite remnants of the ancient world, hand fashioned with 22k gold and our signature detailing and style.

sumer

The Maghara Wadi in the Sinai and the Alimersai mountains of Persia provided the world’s first cities with the stunning blue-green, turquoise stone. Rich deposits of this highly regarded gemstone provided inspiration to the many cultures and people of this region and has featured in all manner of decoration and ornament of the time.

Later traded along the Silk Road, the ancient caravan route, this exotic stone found its way from Xian in central China to eastern Europe and featured in all manner of ornament throughout history. Turquoise remains an esteemed and desirable stone today.

Beads and object from pre- history are brought back to life in this unique and extraordinary array of jewels, exquisitely detailed with 22k gold and fine pearls.

The Sumer series celebrates the feminine, adornment re-awakened from a bygone era.

sola

rAmber, the fossilized resin of extinct coniferous trees formed during the tertiary geological period, has been used to adorn and decorate since antiquity. Found in Mycenaean tombs and ancient sites across the globe and exchanged on ancient trade routes stretching across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.This extraordinary material is often found containing plant or animal inclusions, formed over thousands of years, encased and preserved in the clear honey-like resin of amber.

The crystal-like and exotic qualities of this stone continues to inspire and excite.

The amber incorporated in this series heralds primarily from the Baltic region of Europe. Amber from this area, is a particularly lustrous and multi-coloed material - from deep cognac to butter yellow to a deep cherry-like aubergine, these exotic colours are the mainstay of the Sola series.

olmec

Intricate bead making traditions and techniques were established and flourished during the Olmec civilization in Central America, present day Mexico and Guatamala. The cities of this great culture thrived from 1,200 to 400 BC amongst the tropical lowlands and mountain regions between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.

The Olmec people created a sophisticated trading system that extended over much of Middle America and the ‘green stone’ or ‘jade’ was an important commodity within this established order. As the culture grew more complex so did the craftsmanship of these precious elements. To the Olmec, jade was considered more precious than gold and skilled artisans would fashion all manner of prized adornment and ritual items. With the high level of artistry and skill they would achieve an incredibly high polish and finish to these sophisticated objects, not easily matched with today’s technology, and especially considering the inherent irregularities and hardness of this particular stone.

As with many ancient beads and carvings with this level of detail and magnificence, the quality and size would clearly communicate social distinction. Finely crafted beads, intricately carved, would be fashioned into exquisite body ornament, reflecting wealth and status of the Olmec aristocracy. The prized green jade adornment would always remain the most desirable personal decoration of the elite Olmec as well as the Incan civilizations that followed and flourished in this region.